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Big Sandwash Reservoir: ★★
The reservoir is currently 100% full. The wedge dock is in at the main boat ramp. Water temperatures range from 48-51F and the fish are starting to become more active. DWR biologist conducted annual gill-net surveys last week (April 24th), yellow perch are spawning, smallmouth bass have begun to move into the shallow water, rainbow trout are also spawning on gravel/cobble bars around the reservoir. Multiple walleye were captured in the nets ranging from 14"-16" in size. Multiple stockings of walleye fry have occurred in the past two weeks with more to come this week. (April 26, 2019)
Brough Reservoir: ★★★
Reservoir is full, Water temperature on May 7th was 57 degrees, roads are dry to the reservoir. Some carp in the shallows, try bow fishing for them as the water is very clear. (May 08, 2019)
Browne Lake: ★★★
There have been no recent angling reports. The USFS gates are open for access but gates to Long Park and Spirit Lake are still closed. Fishing should be good depending on clarity of the water due to runoff. Typical trout lures and baits should work well. (May 09, 2019)
Calder Reservoir: ★
The roads to the reservoir are now open. With the extreme winter conditions this year, there were very low oxygen levels in the reservoir. A fish kill occurred that killed the majority of the fish in the reservoir. About 800 catchable rainbows (15-17 inches) have been stocked this spring but no fishing reports have been received since then. Good forage of scuds and other invertebrates still exists so fish should grow quickly once stocked. The reservoir has special catch-and-release regulations. You must use flies and lures only — bait is not allowed. See the Utah Fishing Guidebook for details. (May 08, 2019)
Cottonwood Reservoir: ★★★
Anglers report catching stocked rainbow trout and some wiper. Reminder: You must release any tiger muskie that have not reached the 40-inch length limit. Please use care and good catch-and-release techniques. (April 26, 2019)
Crouse Reservoir: ★
The road to the reservoir is currently open. However, due to algal blooms last summer and low water levels over the past few years, there are very few, if any, fish in the reservoir. The reservoir will be evaluated early this year to determine if fish could be stocked and would survive to be able to be caught by anglers (May 08, 2019)
Currant Creek Reservoir: ★★★★
Ice off conditions are happening at Currant Creek right now. Anglers are reporting good fishing right now. Try using various colors of maribu jigs. (May 06, 2019)
East Park Reservoir: ★
As of May 7th the forest service gates leading to East Park are still locked. No set timeline for opening as snow drifts are likely still on the road. (May 08, 2019)
Flaming Gorge Reservoir: ★★★★
All launch ramps are open and accessible. The Flaming Gorge Fishing Derby is scheduled for May 18 & 19, 2019. It's less than two weeks away! Go to flaminggorgefishderby.com or call 435-784-3483 for more information. Get registered for another great tournament!
Lake trout: Anglers caught numerous smaller lake trout during the Mac Attack in the Buckboard, Anvil and Pipeline areas. Lake trout can be caught shallow this time of year, while casting jigs along the shoreline or trolling lures close to the surface. Also try looking for fish in 50-90 feet of water near main channel points and ridges. Watch for suspended concentrations on your fish finder and if located, vertically jig a 1/4-3/8 ounce 3.5-inch white or glow-n-the-dark tube jig (Dry Creek Outfitters) tipped with sucker/chub meat. Small lake trout less than 25-inches have become overabundant, causing competition for food and a decrease in growth rates. If this trend continues, it will impact the trophy lake trout component (less food to grow big fish). Please help the resource by harvesting your limit of lake trout less than 25-inches. This size class of fish also makes exceptional table fare.
Kokanee salmon: Fishing continues to be exceptional this spring. Watch for large schools of suspended fish along the main channel of the reservoir and in the backs of canyons. Jig small spoons like 1/4 ounce Northland Buckshots, Kastmasters, Thomas Cyclones in chartreuse, pink, silver, or gold and tip with Gulp maggots, corn or meal worm. Even try adding a dodger a couple feet above your spoon. You can also troll dodgers/squids through the schools. Typically kokanee salmon will be close to the surface in the spring where plankton is most abundant. If you're not graphing fish, trolling the surface at 10-20 feet using planer boards or long set-backs (150 ft or more) can also be productive.
Rainbow trout: Fishing has been very good in select areas of the reservoir. Try casting jigs like 1/4 ounce marabous in earth tones, along the shoreline. Many of the fish caught this time of year will be very close to the shore. Also check the backs of canyons especially where streams are present. Anglers fishing near or on boat ramps for rainbows should be courteous and move when boats are launching to limit congestion.
Smallmouth bass: Few reports but will become more active as surface temperatures increase, especially late in the day. Try reaction lures like jerk baits and swim baits.
Burbot: Few reports but usually good fishing. Target burbot on rocky points and shorelines in 20-40 feet of water at night using glow-in-the-dark lures like Yamamoto grubs, Radical Glow tubes, Maniac Cutterbugs, and Northland Buckshot or Flutter spoons. Tip the lure with sucker/chub meat, recharge glow frequently, and jig the presentation a couple inches from the bottom. (May 08, 2019)
Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam: ★★★★
Average flow is 1600 cfs (fluctuating 950-2500 cfs) and temperature is 42-44F. Nymphing has been productive using small midge and baetis patterns (18-22), scuds and San Juan worms. Midges will hatch most of the day, and blue winged olive hatches will occur early in the afternoon. Try using size 16-22 midge and BWO dries. Streamers in olive or black have been effective early or late in the day, and on cloudy days. Spin fishing has been good to excellent. Marabou jigs or tube jigs in earth tones, white/chartreuse, and ginger are a good option in shallow or deep water. Rainbow or brown trout patterned crankbaits and spoons also work well. Pinch down the barbs for quick release. See current water releases from Flaming Gorge Dam. (May 08, 2019)
Long Park Reservoir, North Slope: ★★★
The USFS gates are still closed past Sheep Creek Lake. The USFS should open the access gates by mid to late May and fishing should be good using traditional trout lures and baits. Good catch rates both trolling in a boat and angling from shore have been very productive early in the season in past years. Typical food consumed by fish in the reservoir include midge larvae, Sow bugs, zooplankton and scuds. (May 09, 2019)
Matt Warner Reservoir: ★★★
Access to the reservoir is possible from both the Jones Hole road and from Hwy 191. The Hwy 191 cutoff road still has some drifts and muddy spots so travel by 2WD vehicles or low clearance is not recommended. With the extreme conditions this winter season, the reservoir had very low oxygen levels. Some fish did die over the winter but it appears that a healthy population of multiple year classes did survive. During recent sampling, fish up to 21.5" were sampled. The fish appeared healthy and were utilizing multiple forage types like leeches, midge larvae, damselfly larvae, sowbugs, and minnows. The reservoir is near full pool. (May 06, 2019)
Moose Pond: ★★★
Anglers report catching numerous small rainbow trout in a short period of time last weekend. Good access around the entire pond. Most rainbows in the pond will be smaller than 14 inches but it a good location to do a family fishing outing. (May 09, 2019)
Pelican Lake: ★
On May 7th water clarity readings and zooplankton samples were taken. Post carp removal, we are seeing amazing water clarity with secci readings of 15 feet. For the first time in many years you can see to the bottom of the lake, lake-wide. Zooplankton samples show abundant daphnia and copepod's in the system which is great for bluegill and bass growth. None of the 2,000 stocked bluegill were observed, but its a large lake! We will continue to work on stocking adult bass from our Steinaker fish salvage ponds, please be patient and let the bluegill spawn this spring, this is a critical time for genetics and population numbers at the lake. Questions? Please email natalieboren@utah.gov. (May 08, 2019)
Red Fleet Reservoir: ★★★
Anglers report fair fishing from shore and by boat. Wiper and Walleye are becoming more active. Some reports of anglers catching Largemouth Bass (anglers please catch and release as we are trying to get the numbers of this species to increase). Anglers have also reported catching a few Tiger Trout near the main ramp up to 18" in size. Water temperatures as of May 3rd were 58 degrees (May 08, 2019)
Sheep Creek Lake: ★★★
The USFS gates are open to Sheep Creek Lake and Browne Reservoir but are still closed to Long Park and Spirit Lake. No recent reports but fishing should be good as the fish get ready to spawn early next month. This is a brood stock reservoir for cutthroat trout so special regulations are in place to protect those fish. The trout limit is 2, and only 1 may be a cutthroat over 22 inches. All cutthroat trout 22 inches or smaller must be immediately released. Artificial flies and lures only. Fishing tackle that should work include streamers, spinners, spoons, minnow hardbaits, jigs and small swimbaits. (May 09, 2019)
Spirit Lake: ★★★
The USFS gates are still closed past Sheep Creek Lake. The lake is currently only accessible by snowmobile as there is still a lot of snow at this 10,000' elevation water. There have been no recent angling reports. Access by cars and trucks should be available by Memorial Day. There are numerous Tiger Trout in the lake and fishing should be good once the ice is off and anglers can access the lake. (May 09, 2019)
Steinaker Reservoir:
Steinaker still has very low water levels, but it has come up 5 feet this spring from run off events. DWR has restocked with 15,000 4" Rainbow Trout. We will continue to monitor water levels and if we can restock with additional species, we will. Steinaker will be restocked with the same species as before the BOR dam repair project. Species include: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Brown's and Rainbow Trout. DWR staff did just recently install 12 rock/wood structures on the lake bottom. We will continue to work on the fish habitat project as the lake levels rise. (May 08, 2019)
Uinta Mountains, North Slope East: ★★★
Access to these lakes and streams will possibly be limited by USFS gate closures for a longer period this year due higher than average snowfall over the winter. Gates normally open around Memorial Day. After gates open, lakes and reservoirs should fish well while creeks will be running high well into June. (May 08, 2019)
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